Joseph Arnold Broder

1939 - 2021

On Tuesday, November 16th, the Broder family suffered a profound loss with the unexpected passing of Joseph Arnold Broder, 82. Joe's death has left his family, friends, and all those that had the blessing and good fortune of knowing him in a state of absolute shock and sadness. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Andrea; their son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Kris, and two grandchildren, Hudson and Chloe. Born January 19, 1939, to Morris and Dora Broder, Joe was a graduate of Bacon Academy, Trinity College, and Harvard Law School. He served as Senior Partner of Broder and Butts Attorneys at Law from 1974-2000 and then as a solo practitioner until his retirement in 2015. A devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and selfless friend, Joe was always willing to listen and lend a hand. He was a kind and gentle man who set the standards of decency, integrity, humility, pragmatism and compassion we should all strive to emulate. Throughout Joe's life, the call to service rang loud-whether serving as Commander in the US Navy Reserves Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps from 1965-1989; State Representative from Connecticut's 48th District; Special Counsel to the Town of East Haddam; and Colchester Town Attorney. He had a deep desire to give back to Country and community and he did so his entire life, selflessly and with sacrifice. What he leaves to us is what he said, what he did and what he stood for. His strength of character, purity of will, extreme tenacity, objectivity and incorruptible judgement. These traits are of a kind seldom found joined in a single individual. That is the legacy he leaves with us. And, while the world is emptier without him, our lives are fuller because of him. A lifelong Colchester resident, Joe was active in many organizations including the American Legion, Colchester Business Association, Colchester Fish and Game Club, Colchester Grange, Colchester Jaycees and as former President of Rotary International (Colchester Chapter). He was an active outdoorsman and loved the 82 years he enjoyed at Lake Hayward-it was his sanctuary. It was the one place which brought him happiness, joy and peace. In the words of his favorite actor, John Wayne, Joe lived life with true grit, "making a decision and standing by it, doing what must be done. No moral man can have peace of mind if he leaves undone what he knows he should have done." That is the way he lived. That is the way he would want to be remembered. "You never said I'm leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death, we love you still. In our hearts, you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home." Author Unknown. Rest in peace devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and life teacher-you lived a life with humility, kindness, and grace. Family, friends, and others whose lives Joe touched are invited to his memorial service held on November 18th at 1 pm at Congregation Ahavath Achim, 84 Lebanon Avenue, Colchester, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.